Trunk-filler.



E. A. WOLFE.

TRUNK FILLER. APPLIOATION FILED APR. 15, 1913.

1,092,235, Y, Patented Apr. 7, 19m

M g 1.25m A TTORNEYJ LUMBIA PLANoalAPr-x CO.,-WASHINGTON. u. c.

EDWARD A. WOLFE, 0F INDIANOLA, IOWA.

TRUNK-FILLER.

Application filed April 15, 1913.

To all u2/wm t may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD A. l/VoLrn, a citizen o-f the United States, and resident of Indianola, in the county of lNarren and State of iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Trunk-Filler, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a trunk filler of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

A further object is to provide such a device so constructed and arranged that it may be readily and easily expanded longitudinally, laterally and vertically to occupy the unfilled space in a trunk or the like.

My invention consists in certain details, in the construction, combination and arrangement of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims `and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a top or plan view of a trunk filler, embodying my invention. Fig. 2 shows a vertical, central, sectional view through said trunk filler, and Fig. 3 shows a sectional view through one of the adjustable locking devices. Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view through the sleeve and the ends of two of the connecting rods.

My improved trunk filler comprises two rectangular frames, each comprising two horizontal side members and two horizontal end members. The side members of the upper frame are composed of two parts 10 and 10a slidabl connected in a manner herein-' after described and the end members of the upper frame are each composed of two parts 11 and 11a, slidably connected in the manner hereinafter described. The horizontal side members of the lower frame are each comprised of members 12 and 12a, slidably connected, and the end members of the lower Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. '7, 191e.

serial No. 761,361.

and 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Secured to the outer or free end of the extension 15 .is a guide device 17 in which the extension 1G slides freely, and secured to the outer end of the extension 16 is a similar guide 17 in which the extension 15 slides freely. I preferably provide flat reinforcing strips 18 for connecting the horizontal members at the corners of the device.

For sliding the ends of the device longitudinally away from or toward each other, l have provided the following means above the upper and lower frames. Extending inwardly from the members 11L are rods 19, which at their inner ends are provided with right and left hand screw threads. The inner ends of the rods 19 are received in a sleeve 20, which is internally screw threaded so that when rotated in one direction it turns .both of the rods 19 outwardly and when rotated in another direction it draws both of the rods 19 together. Formed on the sleeve 20 is a corrugated rib 21 for more easily rotating the sleeve 20.

Connecting the respect-ive members 1-1, the respective members 13 and the respective members 13@L are similar rods 19 and similar sleeves 201 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Connect ing the members 10a with each other, the members 10 with each other, the members 12L with each other and the members 12 with each other are similar rods 19 and sleeves 20, shown in Figs. l and 2. lt will thus be seen that either of the horizontal frames may be contracted or expanded by rotating they various sleeves 20 to force the opposite sides or ends of said frames apart or draw them together. The upper frame is mounted above the lower frame and spaced apart therefrom by the following ymeans: Extending upwardly from the corners of the'lo'wer frame are cylinders 22, and extending downwardly from the corners of the upper frame are cylinders 23 telescopically received within the cylinders 22. I preferably use braces 24, extending from points near `the upper ends of the members 22 downwardly and inwardly to the members 12 and 12a, as shown in Fig. 2.

For locking the braces 22 and 23 in various positions of their telescopic movement with relation to each other, l have provided the following means: In the walls of the cylinders 23 I form a plurality of openings 25. Extending inwardly from the upper end of each cylinder 22 is a slnall cylinder 26 in which is slidably mounted a stem 27 which entends outwardly through the opening 28 and the closed end 29 of the cylinder 26. Formed on the stem 27, near the inner end thereof, is a circumferential annular flange 30a. On the stem 27, within the cylinder 26 and between the flange 30 and the closed end 29 of said cylinder is an eXtensible coil spring 30, designed to hold'the stem 27 at the inward limitl of its movement. Formed on the cylinder 26 is a laterally eX- tending lug 31; On the outer end ot the stem 27 is a head 32. Formed on the head 32 is an arm 33, so constructed and arranged that when the stem 27 is drawn outwardly and rotated to one position of its movement the arm y33 will engage the lug 81 and prevent the inward movement ot the stem 27.

In other kpositions of the rotation of theV stem 27, the arm 33 clears thecylinder V26 and allows the spring 31 to torce the stem-27 to the inward limit of its movement. The inner end of the stem 27 is designed to selectively enter one oi4 the openings 25 for locking the cylinders 22 and 23 in various positions of their adjusted movement. On the upper surfaces of the members 12 and 12a I secure tacks 34- or other fastening devices. When the filler has been adjusted as desired, the cords 35 may be secured to the tacks 34, extended around the members 12 and 12a and stretched between them to keep clothing or other articles from extending within the outline of the liller.

It will be understood that various kinds of materials may be used inthe construction of my device and that changes may be made in the details of the construction and it is my intention to cover by this application any changes in construction that may come within the scope of the appended claims.

In the practical operation of my improved trunk Iiller the device may be placed in position shown in Fig. l, on top of the contents of a partly filled trunk or it may be placed on its side in one side ot a partly lilled trunk. rI`he adjustability of the device longitudinally and laterally is designed largely tor the purpose ot being able to adjust the device for trunks of various sizes. The greater vertical adjustment is designed for the purpose of filling the empty part of the trunk. Assuming that the trunk is partly full, the iiller may be placed on top of the contents and by rotating the sleeves 2O the device may be lengthened and widened to substantially fit the trunk. The stems 27 may then be withdrawn and rotated until the extensions 33 engage the lugs 31. rIlhe cylinders 33 may then be slid upwardly until the trunk is full when the stems 27 may be again rotated until the eX- tensions 33 clear the lugs 3l and the'cylinders 26, and the ends of the stems 27 enter the upper openings 25.

The advantage of such a device in lling the unfilled sp-ace in a trunk so that the contents thereof cannot be jarred about will berobvious from the foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, two rectangular frames, each comprising end members composed of two parts, slidably connected, side members composed ot two parts slidably connected, means for adjustably securing the respective parts of the side members in any position of their sliding movement, said means comprising two pairs ot rods arranged in alinement with each other, the respective members on each pair being secured to one part of each end member, the adjacent ends of said rods being oppositely screw threaded, an oppositely screw threaded cylinder on said ends, means for securing the Vrespective end lmembers in any position of their sliding movement, said means comprising` two pairs otV rods, the rods of each pair being arranged in alinement with each otherand secured to parts of said side members, the adjacent ends of said rods being screw threaded in opposite'directions, and internally screw-threaded cylinders received on'said screw threaded ends, upright -co-rner posts connecting the corners of the respective frames, said corner posts being made in two parts telescopically connected, the inner posts being provided .with a plurality of holes, a laterally extending casing on each outer post, a bearing, a spring actuated stem therein designed in one position of its movement to selectively enter one of said holes, said stem extending outwardly through said casing and provided with a head, a lug on said casing, a lug on said head designed lin one position of the rot-ary movement of said stem to engage said first lug and hold the stem awayV from said post.

2. In a device of the class described, two rectangular frames, each comprising end members composed of two parts, slida-bly connected, side members composed of two parts slidably connected, means for adjustably securing the respective parts of the side members in any position of their sliding movement, said means comprising two pairs oit rods arranged in alinement with each other, the respective members o-n each pair being secured to one part of each end member, the adjacent ends of said rods being oppositely screw threaded, an oppositely screw threaded cylinder on said ends, means for securing the respective endmembers in any position of their sliding movement, said means comprising two pairs of rods, the rods rof each i pair being arranged in alinement with each other and secured to parts ot said side mem-V bers, the adjacent ends of said rods being screw threaded in opposite directions, inthereof in various positions of their slidable ternally screw threaded cylinders received adjustment. on said screw threaded ends, upright Corner Des Moines, Iowa, March 18, 1913.

posts Connecting the corners of the respeo- EDVARD A. VVOLFE. tive frames, said corner posts being made in itnessesz two parts telesoopioally connected, and W. G. STANLEY,

means on each post for looking the parts J. F. SOHEE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

